I'd guess that driving was probably more broadly enjoyable for people in the era of manual transmission. That's not to say manual transmissions are fun, but the greater degree of interactivity, control, and skill made it a more interesting and overall enjoyable experience. Also it was kind of cathartic getting up to speed somehow. Driving an automatic is just boring, outside of like others have mentioned - the insane acceleration in an EV.

Manuals on a bridge during traffic though are... unpleasant.

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nl a day ago | parent | next [-]

I learnt to drive in a manual and I drive my partner's manual car frequently.

It's more interesting on an open road but horrible to drive in traffic. Overall both of us hate the experience.

I get my new electric car (a Geely) on Wednesday.

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dieselgate a day ago | parent | prev | next [-]

I agree but am curious what difference being on a bridge makes…

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ojbyrne a day ago | parent [-]

Stopped in traffic on an incline, you have to learn how to not roll backwards. Presumably that’s what was meant.

	▲	giardini a day ago \| parent \| next [-]
		Yeah, on the rainbow bridge port arthur texas. Here's an image: https://www.panews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2020/09/W...
	▲	testing22321 a day ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		Even my 2011 Jeep manual transmission has hill start assist, it never rolls backwards . Interestingly, it will roll forwards if you’re on a steep hill and trying to reverse up it. I guess it doesn’t know which way you want to go ( the computers don’t know what gear you’re in)

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BatchJob a day ago | parent | prev [-]

4 cylinder cars killed the joy of driving in addition to the lack of manual transmissions.

	▲	lifestyleguru a day ago \| parent \| next [-]
		4 cylinder ICE is premium now. Nowadays compact cars have 3 cylinders.
	▲	expedition32 20 hours ago \| parent \| prev \| next [-]
		I think what killed the joy was traffic and speed cameras. There's a reason why people take their Ferrari out for a spin in the mountains. Highways are just too safe.
	▲	gambiting 21 hours ago \| parent \| prev \| next [-]
		Drive a 4 cylinder AMG and tell me if it "killed the joy" of anything. Incredible motors.
	▲	BoingBoomTschak a day ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		American drivel. A revvy 4 pots like what Honda used to put in their S2000 or old Type Rs (Integra, Civic) is more exciting than lazy V8s.